Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include mental health disorders, sleep apnea, headaches, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, right leg disorder, left leg disorder, kidney cancer, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for her service-connected disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular level of 50 percent, and referral for consideration on an extraschedular basis is not warranted. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease and mixed headache syndrome, migraine predominant were granted initial ratings of 40 percent prior to February 22, 2010; from May 1, 2010 until November 16, 2015; and beginning November 16, 2015. The Veteran was also granted a TDIU effective September 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder condition, migraines, sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea), and hypertension have been reopened.,However, the Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a heart disability, tinnitus, blurry vision, strokes and residuals thereof, headaches, dizziness, and fainting episodes are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations. The Veteran is also seeking an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction (vasectomy), Hepatitis C and a liver disorder, thigh scarring as secondary to Hepatitis C, scars from injections associated with Hepatitis C, headaches including migraines, and a cognitive disorder to include Alzheimer's disease. The appeals are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TBI have been reopened, with the claim for allergic rhinitis with epistaxis being denied.,Service connection has been granted for migraine and post-concussion traumatic headaches.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as they do not result in prostrating attacks at least once every two months.

The Board denied service connection for TBI, left knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral eye disability, and bilateral foot disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a nexus between the disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood has been rated at 70 percent, but the Board is remanding to consider a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service. The issues of service connection for bilateral knee conditions and headaches (secondary to PTSD) have been remanded due to deficiencies in prior VA examinations.

Service connection for a bilateral elbow disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, eye disability, sleep apnea, hypertension, sinus disorder, cholesterol, and bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for anxiety disorder is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected disabilities or incurred in service. The VA will obtain a new medical opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disability, blood disorder (claimed as blood clots), sleep disability, skin disability, head injury residuals, headaches, cardiovascular disability (claimed as atrial fibrillation with chest pain), right hip disability, and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted effective September 24, 2013. The Board is now considering whether a higher rating or earlier effective date can be assigned.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized expenses incurred at St. Vincent’s Medical Center on April 3, 2015 is denied because there was no indication that VA authorized the treatment and a prudent layperson would not have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention to result in serious harm.

The Veteran's service connection claims for shin splints, sleep disturbances due to PTSD and combat, traumatic brain injury, and migraines (headaches) have been remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.,The VA has not located all of the Veteran’s service treatment records from his active duty period.